Multi-reservoir device for controlled drug delivery

Abstract

An implantable device for the controlled release of drug or diagnostic molecules in vivo which includes a substrate formed of a metal or a polyethylene, a plurality of discrete reservoirs provided in spaced positions in the substrate, and a release system disposed in the at least two reservoirs, wherein the release system comprises drug or diagnostic molecules combined with a release-controlling polymer matrix, wherein the kinetics of release of the drug or diagnostic molecules is controlled by disintegration of the polymeric matrix. The substrate and reservoirs therein may be made by a manufacturing technique which comprises compression molding, thermoforming, casting, laser cutting, etching, or a combination thereof.

1 . An implantable device for the controlled release of drug or diagnostic molecules in vivo comprising: 
 a substrate formed of a metal or a polyethylene;    a plurality of discrete reservoirs provided in spaced positions in the substrate; and    a release system disposed in the at least two reservoirs, wherein the release system comprises drug or diagnostic molecules combined with a release-controlling polymer matrix,    wherein the kinetics of release of the drug or diagnostic molecules is controlled by disintegration of the polymeric matrix or diffusion of the drug through the polymer matrix.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate and reservoirs therein are made by a manufacturing technique which comprises compression molding, thermoforming, casting, laser cutting, etching, or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is at least partially porous.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the reservoirs are conical or pyramidal in shape.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric matrix material comprises a poly(lactide-co-glycolide), a poly(lactone), or a poly(anhydride).  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two reservoirs individually comprise at least two layers of a release system and at least one layer of a degradable or soluble material which does not comprise the one or more drugs.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least two discrete, reservoir caps covering the at least two reservoirs.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the reservoir caps are formed of a bioresorbable biological material selected from lipids, fats, poly(lactide-co-glycolide)s, polycaprolactones, and poly(ahnhydrides).  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the reservoir caps comprise a cholesterol, a lecithin, or a mixture thereof.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the molecules for release comprise a growth factor.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the rate or time of release of the drug molecules from one of the reservoirs is different from the rate or time of release of the drug molecules from another of the reservoirs.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the reservoirs each have an opening in the substrate having a dimension between 50 microns and 300 micron.  
   
   
       13 . An implantable medical device for the controlled delivery of a drug comprising: 
 a substrate.    an array of discrete reservoirs in the substrate; and    a release system in the reservoirs comprising drug molecules for release and a matrix material which comprises a resorbable biological material selected from the group consisting of fats, lipids, and lipid bilayers, the matrix material disintegrating in vivo to release the drug molecules,    wherein the device is formed of or coated with a biocompatible material suitable for implantation into a human or animal.    
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the matrix material comprises a cholesterol, a lethicin, or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the substrate comprises a biodegradable polymer.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 13 , further comprising discrete reservoir caps covering the release system, wherein release of the drug molecules is controlled in part by in vivo disintegration or permeabilization of the reservoir caps.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein a substrate is formed of a metal or a polyethylene.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the substrate and reservoirs therein are made by a manufacturing technique which comprises compression molding, thermoforming, casting, laser cutting, etching, or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the substrate is at least partially porous.  
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the reservoirs are conical or pyramidal in shape.